100 Years Ago This Week: May 12-18

From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, May 17: Yesterday was Mothers’ Day in Indianapolis and it was observed by the wearing of flowers. Preparing for Mothers’ Day, Saturday’s flower sales was record-breaking. By Saturday afternoon, many of the leading florists were closed, their stocks completely sold out. Smaller flower shops and many greenhouses had also been emptied by early afternoon. An unusual number of telegraph orders were received by florists. Sales of cheaper flowers vastly increased, and the more expensive bouquets were quickly bought up, too. Calls were made to Chicago to replenish depleted stocks, but the same situation prevailed there and elsewhere. City churches held special services marking the day with calls to rededicate “our lives to mother and so live that each day shall be a monument to her whether she be a hallowed memory or a living inspiration.”